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Thursday, January 10, 2013

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: NEEDLES//PINS - Pretty Much Everything So Far

Northern Exposure is a weekly feature where I (Mark) present you with something from the underground of Canadian music.

You won’t get a much more descriptive title for an album than the latest compilation from NEEDLES//PINS. The Vancouver “power-trash” outfit recently released just about everything they’ve recorded thus far in their career in one handy compilation that is available right now on Hosehead Records. The first eleven songs are taken from the bands album 12:34 while the next ten are different singles and live cuts (and even a Christmas song). Even though these tracks are all taken from various places, it’s a compilation that feels very cohesive because NEEDLES//PINS have such a consistent sound. There is obviously a huge garage punk/power pop influence happening with NEEDLES//PINS, but there is a distinct straight-up rock (almost Springsteen-esque) edge to a lot of their songs as well. While I think the first half of the compilation has some of the catchier moments (like “Best Friend” and “Hale Bop”), every track on this album is full of raw and fun energy. Pretty Much Everything So Far is simply a collection of really short, fun and poppy punk tunes. It’s something that a lot of bands are doing, but NEEDLES//PINS do put their own unique spin on it. If you want to check them you, you can stream their 2012 album, 12:34, down below. If you like that then I’d suggest heading over to Hosehead Records to buy this compilation. It’s $5 for 21 songs, I’d call that a no-brainer.